Monday, November 14, 2011

Red Riding Hood was recently adapted to film and fairy tales have been brought to Television this season with the prime time hit shows Grimm and Once Upon A Time on NBC and ABC. I’m a fan of both shows. I love the weird dark characters and the supernatural police crime mystery of Grimm. The creativity of blending traditional fairy tale characters and their issues into the contemporary world in such a believable way in Once Upon A Time is so intriguing. The evil witch is even more scary to me in her contemporary urban role as the mayor in a small town, with her cold hearted, controlling, self centered attitude. Looks like someone has already cut out her heart. It’s ingenious to me that Rumplestiltskin is the town’s Pawn Broker, Mr. Gold.

If you like movies and TV shows with a fairy tale aspect, you are sure to enjoy books with a bit of a fairy tale theme. My paranormal/romance novella, The Wolf and The Druidess will remind you a bit of Little Red Riding Hood. Though my contemporary/romance Peace Love Music is set at Woodstock rather than in the woods, you will notice the plot draws from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. My Medieval/Romance, The Celtic Fox, is reminiscent of Snow White.

Here is an excerpt of The Wolf and The Druidess:

From the eerie silence of the forest, a haunting howl ripped through the air. She stopped in her tracks. It sounded too close. A wolf hunting. There was better game than her. Knowing there was nothing for her to be afraid of, she remained brave, yet her body trembled. With her next steps, she kept her footfalls as light as possible, walking stealthily on the path, to not draw the beast’s attention.

When she came upon the clearing, she held the torch out and gazed at the large, smooth stones, piled one on top of the other. Her mother’s cairn lay in a pool of dried leaves. Her throat tightened and she swallowed back a sob as she moved closer. She couldn’t breathe. Heat radiated from the grave as if her mother stood there. Seren bore a hard stare at the stones as if to call forth the image of the tall woman, with a compelling oval face framed by shoulder-length brown hair.

“Mam...” Her voice choked. “I have brought a basket of Samhain treats.”

Though her mother didn’t appear, she knew she soon would. Her body quivered, not from fear but from joy bubbling in her. She shone the firebrand on an old oak stump in front of the cairn and plopped down on it. Seren stabbed the end of the torch into the ground, so she had light. Facing the cairn, she called out to her mother’s spirit.

“We have a lovely feast.” Seren pulled out a large red apple. She stood, stepped forward, and stooped down to set it on the pile of stones.

When she straightened, she gasped. There, by the oak, facing her, with naught between her and it, but the cairn, loomed a white wolf with pink-tipped ears. Seren stood transfixed. Her heart hammered at the look of hunger in his amber eyes, glowing like a Samhain fire.

Fighting her fear, she remembered her druid training, her knowledge of wolf lore. In a soft, soothing tone, she spoke. “Wolf, we live in peace, you and I and your kind and mine. On this eve of Samhain, it is best you stay with your pack. For those who appear human, this eve, may not be.”

She smiled and he seemed to grin back, but the flash of his white, jagged teeth roused her fears even more. She didn’t want those fangs sinking into her flesh. She took a deep breath. “Do not chew on me, there is better meat for you in the deep dark woods.” His pink tongue, hanging from his huge mouth captured her gaze.

As the beast jerked his neck back and howled, the haunting sound reverberated in the air. Slow and quiet so the wolf wouldn’t become alarmed, she took one step back. He wiggled his nose as if smelling her. Seren shivered as she gazed at his long snout. The looming wolf took one step closer. She could not outrun him. If she managed to trick him and get away long enough to hide, he would sniff her out.

“Wolf, look what I have for you.” Pulling out a black pudding link, she tossed it toward him. It landed in a patch of grass at his side. “Food.” She smiled. “Eat your food, wolf. It is good.”

The white wolf never turned its head. With his gaze fixed on Seren, he stared hungrily, as if he thought of her as a delicious treat. Seren blinked and wondered if it was all the tall trees amid the darkness and the shadows in the night that caused the beast to appear as if his form shifted. She clutched her chest. Her heartbeat quickened as the wolf’s fur and muscles twisted. The beast’s body emitted sounds like the creaking of joints but much louder. Watching the wolf’s body expand while other features contracted
made her stomach lurch. She slid her hand from her chest to her belly. A voice in her head told her what she saw couldn’t be real. She blinked, yet still the wolf changed before her eyes, his gorgeous white pelt shortened until it transformed into bronze tinted skin.

A tall man with cascading golden hair and eyes the gray-blue of a stormy, summer sky stood nude before her. Seren blinked again. The man fluttered his hands in front of his body and suddenly he was clothed in an opened white, gold-speckled druid robe and plaid pants covered his trunk-like legs. Heat emanated from him.

She gawked at the lush bronze skin of his bare, muscular chest beneath his robe. “Druid robe...shape shifted from wolf to…” As realization dawned, she dropped to her knees. ”God Gwydion, it is you?”

Blogging Contest:
To win a PDF download of one of these books, please comment with your email, the winner will receive the book of their choice. You must be 18 years or older to win or read The Wolf and The Druidess or Peace Love Music.

For more on these books, excerpts and blurbs, please visit my website at http://CelticRomanceQueen.com

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Let’s celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Woodstock, when 400,000 people came together for three days to sing songs of peace in the rain. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifA time of: Peace, Love, Music.

Jodi’s birthday breaks her free of the foster care scene and launches her on a journey of self discovery. She thumbs her way to Woodstock to groove on peace, love, and music. The moment Blue spots Jodi strutting toward him barefoot in the rain, he’s overcome with déjà vu. She doesn’t share his feeling that they were lovers in a previous life, thinking it’s half crazy, still she feels she’s meant to be with the irresistible hippie. As an adult now Jodi’s free to be naughty rather than nice and he’s the man who can make her wildest dreams, the sensual ones, come true. Is she headed for a love-in at his tepee?

Woodstock is not only one of the largest attended rock concerts of all times, but uniquely one where the community mattered more than the music.

Here’s an excerpt:
When Joan Baez sang Sweet Sir Galahad, Jodi gulped. The beauty of the lyrics and her voice took Jodi's breath away. When Joan went into Sweet Chariot a cappella, tears rimmed Jodi's eyes and she sang, "Coming for to carry me home," along with her. Jodi had no home, now that she'd turned eighteen two days ago. She no longer qualified for foster care, but she would make a home for herself somehow.

The chill down Jodi's back wasn't from the rain. When Joan belted out, in her crystal clear voice, "We are not afraid, Oh Lord. We are not afraid, Oh Lord, not afraid today," Jodi felt the words vibrate through her. Even in the cold rain, a warm glow fluttered in Jodi's chest.

The girl with long black hair and bangs clutched Jodi's hand, while she reached out to the blonde-haired chick in the denim shirt. The entire row held hands and danced in a grapevine line, around and around. They were a flowing river, moving together. Laughter spilled from Jodi when they sped up, and other times the line of dancers suddenly slowed. They all laughed as they danced to the music.

Peace filled Jodi. She didn't think she would ever stop smiling. When the dancing came to an end, she took a deep breath and met the gaze of a guy standing before her. His eyes drew her. They were different, it was too dark to see the color, but even at night they seemed to gleam and call to her. He had long, sandy brown hair and a wide-open smile that emphasized his full, seductive lips. Jodi wondered what they would feel like and taste like if she stole a kiss from him. His broad shoulders filled out his pale green t-shirt, he wore a brown leather vest over it, and tight faded jeans encased his long legs and slim hips. A red band was tied around his muscular forearm. She felt she knew him, but she must have been losing it, as it didn't make sense.

"Hi, I'm Blue. Are you camping out here?"

"Yes, crashing with some friends." She pointed in the general direction of Sunshine and Ziggy's tent.

He pulled a flashlight from his jeans.

Even mud, hunger, thirst, and the worst traffic jams in history didn’t stop or deter hundreds of thousands of people on the path to Eden. Who wouldn’t love to put aside three days of their life for peace, love, and music … to be startdust, to be golden, to get back to the garden.

Here’s another excerpt:
Blue picked it up and cradled it on his lap. “I know that Tim Hardin tune he sang on Friday. Did you hear it?”

“No, I got to the stage about the time Arlo Guthrie came on.”

“I think you’ll dig it, the song’s got a sweet groove.” Blue’s long fingers danced on the neck of the guitar as he strummed the strings with his other hand.

Jodi’s thoughts stilled as Blue sang, “Love me only.”

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe, she just felt wrapped in warmth as he crooned, “Would you love me anyway, would you have my baby?”

Spirals of heat swirled in and around her. This was the only place she wanted to be, in this teepee in the rain.

Blue sang out in his course voice, raw with emotion, “Save my love from loneliness.” As he sang the next words. “Save my love from sorrow.” Every pore of her body tingled. Blue’s eyes burned into her soul, as his long fingers stroked the strings and fondled the frets of his guitar while he sang the next lyrics, “I give you my only-ness. Give me your tomorrows.”

I wrote Peace Love Music with those three words in mind to bring the reader a natural high and good vibes with this fun read. I’m having a blog contest 8/14 – 8/15 – must be 18 or older. Everyone who post the name of one of the bands or performers who played at Woodstock in the comments will receive a free pdf download of Peace Love Music, include your email so I can send it to you.

Peace Love Music is published by Eternal Press, available in eBook and paperback from moshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gift online book stores for kindle, nook, and other formats. Please visit my website and facebook

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Lughnassadh, pronounced LOO-nahs-ah, is the Celtic Harvest festival, celebrated July 31 or August 1st. Named after the sun god Lugh, a tall, muscular warrior with sky blue eyes and a hallo of golden light which blazed around his thick flaxen hair. He was also known as Lugh of the long arm because of his magic spear, which never missed its mark. The earth goddess of Lughnassadh is Tailtiu in Ireland and Blodeuwedd in Wales. The difference between the two is shown in the Welsh and Irish versions of the tale of Lugh or Llew.

The Irish version begins with forbidden love between Cian, a Tuatha De Dannan and Eithne, a Fomorian. Eithne's father locked her in a high tower. With the help of a druidess, Cian flew on a cloud to the tower and climbed in Eithne's window. Nine months later they had twin boys. Eithne's father threw the babies into the sea to waylay the chief druid's prophecy that his grandson would defeat him in battle. Though one baby drowned, the other swam away. The sea god, Mannanann MacLir, found the babe and gave him to a warrior woman, Tailtiu, pronounced tell-shuh.

After Tailtiu taught him everything she knew, the boy, Lugh, went to Tara, the hill fort of the Tuatha De Dannan. The porter asked him what skills he had to offer. When he said he was a warrior the gatekeeper told him they already had warriors. Lugh continued, saying he was a healer, then a smith, and so on. Each time, the porter said they had someone with that skill. Finally Lugh told him if they already had one person who could do all those things, he would leave. The gatekeeper let him in and Lugh became King of Tara for a year and a day.

Leading the Tuatha De Dannan in battle against the Fomorians, Lugh struck the Fomorian's evil eye with his slingshot. When the rock hit the evil eye, it looked at Lugh's grandfather, Balor. As the evil eye killed all within its sight, Baylor died instantly. Thus the Fomorians were defeated. But Lugh's foster mother, and a royal lady of the Fir Bolog, Tailtiu, had to clear a vast forest to plant grain for her people. She died from the strain and exhaustion. Lugh ordered a fair, with feasting and funeral games, be held each first harvest, in her honor, the Lughnassadh.

In the Welsh version, The high druid, Math the Ancient, brother of Don, needed to appoint a new virgin to sit by Don's throne so he could place his feet in her lap to keep them warm. The god Gwydion suggested Arianrod, keeper of the circling Silver Wheel of Stars. Math preformed a magical test to see if Arianrod was indeed chaste. And when he touched her belly with his finger, the goddess began to cry out with labor pains and right then and there she gave birth to two sons, proving she wasn't a maiden. One was a sea creature. Math named him Dylan and threw him into the sea. The other baby was a large unformed lump. Gwydion took him and put him in a dark, dry chest. There he grew into a beautiful boy. Arianrhod gave that baby three geases or taboos. She would not give him a name, nor weapons, and he would have no human wife. No one else could give him these three things men need.

When it was time for the boy to have a name, Gwydion disguised the boy and him as cobblers. As the boy mended Arianrhod's shoe, a bird flew overhead. With his slingshot, the boy shot the wren with a single stone. Impressed, Arainrhod exclaimed, Llew Llaw Gyffes, which means the little one has many skills. As Gwyidon took off his disguise, he told Arianrhod she had named the boy. Then her hill fort fell under sudden attack and she gave Llew weapons so he could help her fight. Arianrhod told Gwydion though she had been tricked into naming and giving arms to Llew, she would never give her son a wife. Math and Gwydion conjured Llew a wife out of flowers. Her name was Blodeuwedd, pronouonced Blod-Eye-With. The festival of Luchnassah celebrates the wedding of the Welsh Earth Goddess to the Sun God Llew.

But Bloddeuwedd fell in love with another man. Gwydion had put a gease on Llew that he could only die if he was standing with one foot on land, one foot in water, and killed with his own spear. Blodeuwedd tricked Llew into standing with one foot in the bath, one foot on the floor while her lover stabbed him in the heart with his own spear.

Bloddeuwedd represents the earth Goddess, wanting the blood of the god king to fertilize her soil. Llew shape shifted into an eagle and flew away. Gwydion found Llew and changed him back. Then Gwydion changed Bloddeuwedd into an owl so she would only show her face at night.

During the Bronze Age, Lughnassadh included choosing a god king, a king for a year and a day. God kings represented the fertility of the land, which had to be stopped to allow ripening to take place. So the God Kings were sacrificed in honor of the Earth Goddess and to help their people. Thousands of years ago, sacrifices were replaced with other traditions.

As Lughnassadh celebrates the marriage of the earth to the sky, hand fasting marriages were celebrated at this time. Single men lined up on one side and unmarried women on the other. They paired off and married for a year and a day. The couple had to return to the same place the following year to make their marriage permanent. They could also divorce the following year at the festival by simply standing back to back, facing north and south, and walking out. Going their separate ways. Single once more.

An important part of Lughnassadh was the harvest of corn, wheat, oats, and barley, as well as fruits like berries and grapes. A loaf of bread made from the new corn was dedicated to the goddess. The tribe's chieftain or druid may have taken loaves of fresh baked bread, broke off pieces, and handed them to each member of the tribe as they walked sun wise around a large bonfire.

Fruit gathering was also part Lughnassadh. Young men and women paired off to pick bilberries and didn't return until nightfall. The boys thread berries into bracelets for the girls. Before going home, the girls took off their bracelets and left them on the hillside. After climbing back down the hill the young men participated in games such as horse racing. The White Stead is a common companion of Lugh. The horse is the embodiment of the Goddess of Sovereignty who delivered spirits to Otherworld. In the coastal lands, people drove horses down to the beach and into the sea on Lughnasadh.

To celebrate Lughnassadh at your home, make a centerpiece of dried wheat sheaves, whole grain breads, acorns, hazel nuts, and grapes. Get the whole family involved in baking homemade bread. Say a prayer, thanking god for the harvest or the bounty of food you have year round. Share your Celtic heritage with others at the table by telling them the story of Lugh or Llew.

Excerpt (Druid Bride):Everyone stood as the druidess entered and held her arms out to them. “The moon has risen. It is time to begin the ritual.”

Her two guards, as well as Calach, Brude, Ciniatha, and the other nobles gathered in a circle around the druidess. A glow of warmth filled her, as if family gathered around her, taking comfort in rituals and traditions. She lovedconducting celebrations more than all the other duties of a druidess.

Tanwen spread her arms wide. “Lleu Strong Hand, god of sun and war. We the druidess, chief, and high nobles of the Caledonii give thanks for the bountiful harvest. For the light you shone on the crops, we honor you. Our bellies will be full, even in the dark of winter.” A warm, soft, purring-cat vibration beganin her chest and spread to every pore in her body.

As Tanwen beckoned Ciniatha to step forward with the first baked bread, she chanted, “Shining One, Lleu of the sure hand, we come together to share our first baked loaf. For as you honored us with a fruitful harvest, we honor you with our labor in reaping, threshing, and baking.” With her arms raised high, Tanwen invoked, “Great Goddess of Lughnasa, Blodeuwedd, you give us seeds for sowing. Your womb of earth birthed our wheat, which gives us life. From your bounty, we glean the first grains, to bake the first bread, and to brew the first ale.”

Ciniatha handed Tanwen the loaf. She broke off a piece and handed it to Calach, who tore off another and gave it to Brude, the third to Ciniatha, and in turn to each member of the noble ranks.

She gave Huctia and Gethin one piece each. Her heart clinched. She wanted to reach out and hug them. They were like her family now. As she performed the ceremony, she thought of the druids who had taught it to her, Rhys and Sulwen. She missed them so much, and the entire Silure tribe, who gave her succor and sanctuary. She gulped, smiled at her guards, and then continued the ritual.

She tore her remaining `hunk of bread into two pieces and shook them in the air. “Goddess of seed and flower, as you give to us, we give to you. Accept our offering. Lleu, Sun King, Lord of Summer, we partake of this sacred bread, which ripened under your sultry heat. So the tribe will be bountiful, live long, and sire many children. God and Goddess, as you, the earth and sun, conceived our grain, we bless you. We call on you to bless our tribe, as we share this bread.”

Tanwen tossed a piece of bread into the central hearth. As it burned to a crisp, the smoke curled and rose to the gods. She let her sadness over leaving Sulwen and Rhys, and the deaths of her family, melt away. This was her new tribe, and she loved them.

She led the chief’s household and her two guards in a circle around the central hearth as she chanted, “Earth gave us life. Death returns us to her womb. Unending, the circle runs forevermore. Sun, earth, and grain: all which falls shall rise again.”

And that is why I’m here, Tanwen realized. She symbolized two great tribes destroyed by Rome, yet with Brude, she would make a stand to keep the brutal foreign force from Caledonia’s borders. She and Brude would see to it that no Pict tribe would be annihilated. And her descendants would teach the Celtic ways to those in the future, who after accepting foreign beliefs, would come to forget their ancestors. In that, she was like the goddess: she carried the seed of rebirth, so that which had fallen would rise again.

Now, she was hopeful for this marriage. A soft, warm feeling rose in her and spread its hopeful glow through her body. She knew her face had broken into a smile. Boudica was wise and had led her to the right tribe, the right man. Her new tribe, the Caledonii, would not be annihilated by Rome, as her mother’s and her grandmother’s. She and Brude would rouse the northern tribes to fight the Romans and win at last, keeping her new tribe and her future family—the children she would have with Brude—safe and free of Rome.

At that moment, her eyes were caught in Brude’s fiery gaze. He wanted her, and she wanted him. The gods had made it so. Tanwen stuffed the piece of bread into her mouth as the others did the same. The soft warmth melted on her tongue as she chewed. It was so delicious, so filling...so blessed.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Hi everyone, Margaret is the winner of the Blog Contest - she won an authograph copy of Druid BrdeI just flew into Houston last night at 10:30 pm form the Lori Foster Reader and Writer Get Together in Ohio. Saturday was the big day with a workshop by Jean Stark on a survey asking readers, what makes you buy a book? The number one reason, no surprise, is recommendation from a friend. I loved her panel and I learned a lot.

The day continued with Leanna Renee Hieber’s fantastic workshop on The Joys and Struggles of Being Different. She writes out of the box about characters that are different. I read her book, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss. Percy Parker. I found it incredible. Loved it. There is no unusual machinery in the story so I would not call it steampunk but still if you like steampunk you will like it. It's set in Victoria England in London and involves ghost and gods so I included a photo of a Victorian ghost I took at Aetehrfest. The characters in Leanna Renee Hieber's tale are strong and haunting. It is a strangely beautiful paranormal/ romance that I adored and I highly recommend it. I found her panel incredible as well. People that read my work know I’m a bit out of the box myself and write from my heart and I adore that in others as well.

The main feature of the day was the Barnes and Nobles Book Signihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifng. I signed my books Dhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifruid Bride, The Wolf and The Druidess, and Peace Love Music. My book signing neighbor was C.H. Admiranhttphttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifd who is so sweet, and the author of the Secret Live of Cowboys series and has also written Scottish Romances as well. The cover artist on several of her books Bill Freda was there as well. You can see the photo of me taken with Bill as well as the picture of C. H. Admirand and Bill Freda together. There were long lines the entire time for Lori Foster at the signing and I’ve posted a photo of her autographing some her many books.

Speaking of signings, I’m having a blog contest. Post a comment and you can win an autographed copy, signed to you, of Druid Bride. Leave an email with your comment of question so I can notify you if you win and sent your gift to you. Please visit my website and please visit me on Facebook and http://www.facebook.com/MaeveAlpin and twitter

Saturday, June 4, 2011

In the dark of night, at the ungodly hour of 2AM, I drove to the Houston Hobby airport to take the red eye. In Atlanta, I transferred to a Dayton flight for the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together.

Fellow, author friend Michelle Levigne met me at the airport and we stopped off at a unique import emporium, Jungle Jims, where I bought a “Herself” shamrock mug, an Irish Coffee candy bar, and other delectable delights to fill a basket for the charity raffle. I wrapped it all in shiny gold cellophane supplied by the always prepared Michel Levigne. Mine was just 1 among approximately 180 baskets that raised funds for worthy causes.

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifAlso, I’m having a blogging contest, just comment with your email addy for a chance to win a PDF eBook of 69 Woodstock Romance, Peace Love Music. Here’s a trailer. And if you like the book, tell your friends. Also, please drop by my website

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Winner Anouncement:Hi everyone,Thanks to those who visited and commented on my Blog contest for National Sibling Day. I appreciate the wonderful comments and your time and consideration so much. The winner of my blog contest is Pomawolf. She won trade size paperback copies of The Fox Prince and The Vixen Princess where the hero in one and the heroine in the other are brother and sister. I will have another blog contest soon. I am going to the OK Steampunk Expo this Saturday and I will definitely buy some steampunk gifts to giveaway on blog contests in the very near future.

In my book, The Fox Prince, the Celtic prince and hero, Tryffin, is the brother of the heroine, Nesta, of my book, Vixen Princess.

In honor of National Sibling Day, I'm giving away an autographed trade paperback of both books, The Vixen Princess and The Fox Prince, to one lucky winner. To enter, just comment below and I will randomly draw a winner from them.

Here is a blurb of each:

The Fox PrinceAelfrida, a Saxon slave, and Tryffin, a Celtic prince are thrown together in the dark days of the Celtic/Saxon wars. Though of a different class, culture, and religion, Tryffin wins the Saxon maiden's heart. But is it too late? The answer lies in Aelfrida's hands. Will she choose vengeance or love?

Vixen PrincessAn unlikely pair, King Arthur's champion, Mabon, a hardened warrior, renown for his Roman military skill, who gave up on a family long ago to dedicate his life to serving king and country is thrown together with Nesta. Yes, the spunky young princess from The Fox Prince is back. Nesta has grown into a fiery, voluptuous, middle-aged widow.

A matchmaking ghost is called forth from the grave on a quest to bring the comely, headstrong, sword wielding widow together with the dark, brooding warrior, and open their lonely, locked hearts with the magic of love.

Monday, March 14, 2011

It's a historical day, and you all know how I love history. Today is the day Brutus assassinated Julius Caesar.

Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 102 or 100 B.C. in the month of Quinctilis, now called July in his honor. His motto was "Veni, vidi, vici" I came I saw, I conquered. Not something you would expect a priest to say. Which is probably why, as a teenager, Caesar left his position as high priest of Jupiter.

Several events followed which shaped Caesar into a solider, politician, and emperor. His attitude about politics was greatly affected when in he married Cornelia, daughter of L. Cornelius Cinna, one of Sulla’s greatest enemies. When Sulla overthrew the Marian party in 81 BC and assumed dictatorship he tried to kill all his enemies, including Julius. Caesar decided that it was a good time to leave Rome.

So at the age of 20, he went to fight in the eastern campaigns and was rewarded with the highest military decoration Rome could bestow. An incident which revealed the type of emperor he would become took place in 75 BC. While traveling by boat to Rhodes to study oratory, Scythian Pirates, the scourge of the Mederanian, attacked and overran his ship. Caesar sent his staff to gather the ransom the pirates demanded, fifty talents of gold. During the 40 days that he was held by the pirates he often warned them that when he was free he would crucify them. He always smiled when he said it. The pirates laughed at the outrageous threat. But as soon as he was released, Caesar took a ship and a small force of men, tracked down the pirates, and hung them on crosses to die in the blistering Mederanian sun.

Though physically fit and robust Julius had epilepsy but instead of weakening him the malady strengthened his resolve for power and control. He also had a well-earned reputation as a ladies man. He was tall, handsome, of fair complexion, with firm, shapely limbs, and dark, unfathomable eyes. He was a sharp dresser, usually attired in a tunic with a broad purple stripe and long fringed sleeves that hung to his wrist.

He seduced many illustrious women. But his most famous tryst was with Cleopatra, who came to him rolled up in a carpet. He even called her to Rome and did not let her leave until he had bestowed rich gifts upon her. He allowed her to give his name to the child, which she bore. According to many Greek writers of the time, this child looked just like Caesar. But his great love was Servilia, the mother of Marcus Brutus. He gifted her with a pearl so large and lustrous it cost six million sesterces.

Julius stretched the boundaries of Rome by conquering Gaul and invading Britannia. At home he maintained his power by defeating his friend and rival Pompey. Caesar gained so much power traditionally held by the Senate that the senators felt threatened and conspired against him.

Caesar’s astrologer, Spurinna, told him there was danger but, if he took care on the Ides of March he would be safe. At first, Caesar decided to stay in his bedroom chambers on the 15th of March. However, his friend, Brutus, convinced him that the astrologer was wrong so he went about his daily business. On his way to the Senate, Caesar ran into his astrologer and told him "The Ides of March are come." Spurinna said, “Yes, they are come, but they are not past." Later that day Caesar was assassinated in the Pompey Theater, at the foot of Pompey's statue. He is remembered to this day as the greatest emperor Rome ever had. We still call the 7th month July in his honor.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

March is National Irish Heritage MonthSo post a comment with an email so I can reach you or post a comment and email me at CelticRomanceQueen@gmail.com with your snail mail and I'll send you a shamrock pencil and a Luck of the Irish mint candyEach St. Patrick Day the San Antonio River of the famed River Walk is dyed green and you can take a relaxing cruise down the colorful waterway. The San Antonio St. Patrick Day includes a leprechaun, bands of pipers, and a Scottish highlander brandishing a long sword.

As you can see even Texans go for the wearin of the green and get into the grand celebration of St. Patrick and rightly so. Texas has a long history of Irish settlers. The Mexican government recruited Irish families to settle in Texas because they were seen as good Catholics and loyal colonist.

Eight Irish born men were among those who are known to have died fighting for Texas in defense of the Alamo: Samuel E. Burns (1810-1836), Andrew Duvalt (1804-1836), Robert Evans (1800-1836), Joseph M. Hawkins (1799-1836), Thomas Jackson (?-1836), James McGee(?-1836), Jackson J. Rusk (?-1836), Burke Trammel1 (1810-1836), and William Ward (1806-1836). To honor their deaths, the San Antonio Harp and Shamrock society placed a wreath at the Alamo on St. Patrick Day.